Case Number 27360: Small Claims Court

About a Zombie

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All Rise...

So, about Judge David Johnson...

The Charge

Once a zombie, always a zombie.

The Case

A documentary film crew ventures into a small Ireland town in search of a
unique story. Apparently, a young man has taken ill with a virus that has turned
him into a zombie, an infection that may be gaining traction in the rest of the
civilized world.

Compelled by what could be a blockbuster story they gain access to the
household and find Billy, the zombified son, strapped to a bed with a muzzle
strapped to his face. They also find a family that is unwilling to let go, even
if it means someone is going to eventually get their intestines ripped out.

One thing leads to another and what you ultimately end up with is a sneaky
decent zombie movie. Which, in this age of oceans of walking dead offerings
(most ranging from sub-mediocre to "head-shot"), is no small feat.

The first thing you'll have to get past is this bizarre construct of the
family hanging on to their undead son. Yes, it doesn't make sense and the
melodramatic fallout that spools from this set-up is contrived, but if you're
able to get yourself past this initial goofiness there's some value here.

That value is a persistent feel of discomfort. Though it's shot essentially
as a documentary/found-footage-film, About a Zombie manages to vomit up
some effective zombie chills. The gore is well-done, with practical make-up and
gag effects and deployed in ways that make the bloodletting jarring. Instead of
riptides of blood, the horror elements are grounded in real-world scenarios, and
that tinge of reality helps the film immensely. The most affecting stuff
involves the zombie son. He's a disturbing creation and the director sets up
some fairly off-putting scenes.

So it this worth your time? If you're a zombie-movie fan or are just looking
for an interesting horror movie, About a Zombie is a nifty surprise. So,
yes.